(Original Urdu Marsiya by [tbd]; translation by Syeda Raza)

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When the image of the Prophet was in battle assailed

A spear ripped his chest, in his heart it wedged

In triumph the evil slayer gloated with Shimer

The army applauded the precision of his aim

 

“Without the aid of Death you’ve killed Husayn” they cried

Victory is now ours, celebrate your might”

 

“Your spear pierced the Prophet’s heart, His very soul

It killed Hasan and left Ali blood-soaked

You broke off a branch that was yet to bloom

You wounded the youth’s parents in a single stroke”

 

“You struck at Husayn’s strength, Zaynab’s soul, Zahra’s heart

In one strike your spear ripped so much apart”

 

These cries in the air, Husayn searched for His son

His heart seeking Akber, His weary soul undone

Clutching at His sword, His vision blurred

Midst the flash and the clang of the weapons He spun

 

The Prophet’s icon was on that day lost to Husayn

He gazed at each face around Him in pain

 

 Distraught, to the left then to the right He raced

Pushing through the swarming army, staring at each face

Rooting for the body of His youthful son

“I am here Ali Akber” He cried, searching in haste

 

“The Prophet’s image, the Prophet’s portrait is gone

Pray someone help me find my Yousef, my handsome son”

 

“Oh peace of my mind, Oh strength of my heart

Let me hear your voice, from me do not part

Oh light of my eyes, the world has darkened for me today

I can’t find my way to where you rest alas”

 

“There’s little you can do, these are thankless times

The world has turned against me, Oh son of mine”

 

Laying in a daze, Akber heard Husayn’s cries

Wounded and distraught, he tried to rise

With all his might he called out for his Father to come

“Oh Grandson of the Prophet, Oh Lord of the skies”

 

“I am close to death, I am breathing my last

I need You dear Father, please come to me fast”

 

The Prince ran in the direction of Akber’s cries

Stumbling, falling, getting up, as though a child

Stretching His arms out, seeking His beloved son

Crying out, clutching His chest at times

  

Distraught, in excruciating pain, and all alone

Such was the state in which Husayn found His son

 

Opening his eyes, Akber quietly whispered

“I cannot bear dear Father to see your hurt

Do not weep, Mother Zahra holds me in Her arms

And a drink from Kausar, Ali has offered”

 

“At the sight of Kausar’s water, I was filled with pain

I thought of your thirst, my dear Imam Husayn”

 

From the camps then Fizza cried out to the Imam

“Where are You my lord? Have You found Your son?

Please hurry back, Akber’s mother is distraught with grief

She laments his loss, her hair is undone”

 

“Not seeing her son in the camps or on the field

She seeks to leave the tents, in search of him”

 

The Prince turned restless hearing Fizza’s shouts

Frantically He turned toward the tents and looked

Just as distraught, Akber whispered to Husayn

“Pray take me inside Father, lest Mother comes out”

 

“While in the throes of death, I agonize at the thought

Of Mother leaving the camp, at the news I’m distraught”

 

In agreement Husayn knelt down on the sand

He tried lifting His son with His trembling hands

Trying to hold Akber close, trying to support his weight

Trying to avoid Akber’s wounds, so as not to cause pain

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Saying “Yaa Ali” He lifted Akber’s body and rose

But hurriedly sat down when Akber moaned

 

At times He cried out to Abbas for help

“Rise from the river banks Abbas, you are my strength

I need your help dear brother, come to my aid

I cannot carry Akber’s body back to the tents”

 

“Zahra’s Son mourns the loss of His youthful son

Heart-broken, amidst enemies, far from home”

 

Saying this He lifted Akber once more and rose

Holding the body to His chest, to His heart, close

He carried Akber into the tents and gently laid him down

“The body of Banu’s son is here” the ladies moaned

 

Weeping, in great distress Zaynab ran to Akber’s side

And in anguish Banu clutched her son’s body and cried

 

The mother sobbed holding Akber close to her heart

“Pray someone end this pain that tears me apart

Where do I search for you Akber, where do I find you now?

In the peak of your youth, you’re dead alas”

 

“You’re lost forever to me in this forsaken place

My home is ruined today Akber, I’ve lost all my wealth”

 

 “I dreamt of your wedding day my dearest son

I thought you would bury me, yet what have you done?

At eighteen you depart, while your old mother lives

You were supposed to build my tomb, I’m the mother you’re the son”

 

“In the glory of your youth, a time to flourish, to thrive

My beloved Akber you sleep soundly, of life deprived”

 

  

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